Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Fri 22 September The Conservation of British Owls – illustrated talk by local expert Ian McGuire7.30 pm at Yate Library(Wapley Bushes Conservation Group, sponsored by South Gloucestershire Council)

Sat 23 SeptemberKennedy Way Pond work morning
The Southwold Group of the Avon Wildlife Trust will be working at local
wildlife haven Kennedy Way Pond, on the corner with Link Road, Yate,
carrying out vegetation clearance and general management. Meet at the
pond (near the cinema end of the Riverside car park) at 10am.(Southwold Group of Avon Wildlife Trust)

Sun 24 September
Bicycle Safari – discover local nature on two wheels with expert Ian McGuire. Family friendly, under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.Bicycle Safari sets off at 11.00 am from Riverside car park next to cinema BS37 4AY(Joint Cycleway Group)Come along and meet Dr Bike from 10.15 am to have your bike checked or find out more about safe cycling with family and friends (South Gloucestershire Council Bikeability Team)

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

If you’ve not cycled for a while and would like to get back
on a bike for fitness, leisure, or an easy and stress-free way to get to
work, then why not give the Loan Bike scheme a try.

The Loan Bikes scheme is different from a daily Bike Hire
as their quality bikes can be borrowed for up to a month, absolutely FREE
of charge, and are a great way to boost your confidence and discover if
cycling is for you before investing in a new bike.

The loan bike scheme is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in
Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North
Somerset. More details here

Monday, 18 September 2017

Are you interested in making things, working with wood, working in a team doing things for others?

Yate Town Council are organizing a free drop in event for anyone interested in hearing more about the startup of an over 50’s ‘Men in Sheds’ group in Yate.

The event is taking place on Thursday 5th October 2017 from 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Armadillo Youth Café and Venue (the purple building next to Yate Leisure Centre).

The Town Council has invited local established Men in Sheds groups to come and share their experiences with those attending and have asked if they could bring along some examples of items that they have created/mended within their sessions or information on other activities.

There will be displays with information relating to existing Men’s Sheds and information about how to set up and run the sheds. Yate Heritage Centre are also bringing along examples of historic local tools.

Refreshments including free coffee, tea, bacon butties (veggie alternative) and biscuits will be on offer during the event.

This is a very informal meeting for anyone who would like to hear more about the project and would like to help shape the future of the group.

For more information about the event or project please get in touch with Yate Town Council, they would love to hear from you! (Poole Court Drive, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 5PP. Email info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or phone 01454 866506)

Thursday, 14 September 2017

The South Glos Council wards will be changing at the next local
elections in 2019, with the total number of councillors being cut from
70 to 61 and the number of voters being represented by each councillor
becoming more equal.

These are the criteria the Commission must follow when drawing up electoral arrangements:

To deliver electoral equality where each councillor represents
roughly the same number of electors as others across South
Gloucestershire.

That the pattern of wards should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities.

That the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.

You need to take account of these if you are suggesting different ward boundaries.

It's just as important to say if you like the changes proposed as if you don't.

Note that the external boundary of South Gloucestershire won't change,
just how the area within it is divided up into wards. Nor will they be
changing external Parish boundaries.

However, Parishes and Parish wards within Parishes are being used as the
building blocks of the new wards. Because of this, some Parishes will
have their internal ward boundaries changed and others will have Parish
wards created for the first time. For example, they propose moving the
boundary between the Coalpit Heath and Westerleigh wards of Westerleigh
Parish so that all the houses on Henfield Road, The Hollows, Cook's Lane
and Bitterwell Close are in the Coalpit Heath ward. There would still
be 7 Parish Councillors for Coalpit Heath ward and 2 for Westerleigh
ward.

How will it affect our area?

If these proposals go ahead:

The Birds area will become part of the Dodington two member ward

Chipping Sodbury will become a one member ward

The Westerleigh ward of Westerleigh Parish and Dodington South ward
of Dodington Parish, which are both currently in Westerleigh ward, will
move into an enlarged two member Boyd Valley ward.

There will be a a new Sodbury Vale one member ward, which take in large parts of the current Cotswold Edge ward

There would be a minor boundary change between the Yate North and Yate Central town council wards

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

Yate Leisure Centre have announced: "We are pleased to announce to all Active Customers, that both of our
Swimming Pools will be opening again at the end of October following
major redevelopment works. This is a little later than originally
envisaged"

"Both pools will be re-filled with water during early October. This is
to enable the building contractors to monitor and test the integrity of
the new pools. The water will then be gradually heated prior to opening
for general use"

"We are really excited that we are nearing completion and the reopening
date. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your
patience and continual support"

Tuesday, 12 September 2017

South Gloucestershire Council is consulting on a scheme is to reduce traffic speeds in the vicinity of Chipping Sodbury School, which will make walking and cycling to school more attractive. The proposal is to reduce the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph along roads in the vicinity of the school, in line with the other schools in the area.

Saturday, 9 September 2017

The Memory Cafe is run by the church with the help of the Rotarians and is very relaxed and friendly - family and careers welcome - tea, coffee and cake provided. Activities quizzes, word search dominos etc. Help, support and an opportunity to share experiences.

Friday, 8 September 2017

There are temporary traffic lights on the narrow bridge on Nibley Lane between Badminton Road and Westerleigh Road. Concrete barriers have been put in place where the fence has collapsed, so the road is now only one vehicle wide at that point.

The fence - which had previously been damaged by vehicles crashing into it - appears to belong to Network Rail, so we have no information about how long the traffic lights will be there.

Nibley Lane is a popular rush-hour cut through, so delays are likely at peak times (though it makes that blind bridge safer)

There is a Monday Lunch Club at St Nicholas Family Centre, Abbotswood, Yate aimed particularly at older members of the community every Monday, starting 11th September (excluding Bank Holidays) at 12 noon for 12.30 pm.

Also on Mondays at St Nix:Friendship Club 10.00 to 11.30 am (£3) Chair based activities and games with tea and biscuits among friendsThis is 4U 2.30—3.30 pm (free) Play table games, chat and make new friends

South Glos Council is consulting on waiting restrictions around Station Road.

All day parking is taking place in roads off Station Road by people working in local offices and commuters using Yate Railway station who do not want to pay for car parking in the station car park. South Glos say that the demand for on-street parking and associated obstructive parking is causing access and visibility difficulties for local residents.

The idea is to provide waiting restrictions to deter all day and often obstructive parking in Cranleigh Court Road (shops layby), Folly Bridge Close, Longs Drive, Moorland Road, and Station Road.

Are you involved in a community spaces volunteer group? Then come along
to the annual Community Spaces Network Celebratory Event on Wednesday,
27 September 2017 from 17:30 to 21:00 at the Nest Cafe and Community
Centre in Page Park, Staple Hill, BS16 5LU.

It's a good event and an excellent opportunity for networking and getting new ideas.

Saturday, 2 September 2017

Nibley Lane, from its junction with Badminton Road to its junction with
Westerleigh Road, is expected to close for cleaning from 9.30am until
2.30pm on Tuesday 5th September for street cleaning to be carried out.

Wednesday, 30 August 2017

South Glos Council has launched a consultation as part of a
feasibility study into options for a new motorway junction, 18a, to link
the M4 with the A4174 ring road. The consultation runs until Monday 16 October. This could have a major impact on our area so it's vital everyone has their say.

The Conservative-run council are looking at two options:

Western route

This route would use Westerleigh Road and the A4174 ring road adjacent
to Lyde Green in Emersons Green. This would mean the new Junction 18a
could be located to the north west of the Lyde Green development. It
would require some realignment to the M4 itself.

Eastern route

This route explores the potential of building a link road and junction
to the north and west of Pucklechurch. This would require the creation
of a new link road, but a new motorway junction could be accommodated
without the need to realign the M4.

Both these options could have major traffic implications for our area, especially the parts around Westerleigh Road, Rodford Way and Shire Way. Unless proper links are provided to AND ROUND Yate, to meet up with the Iron Acton road, these roads will have to carry a lot more through traffic and Westerleigh village could grind to a halt. And no, completing the Road to Nowhere wouldn't do a thing to help - it's in the wrong place.

Cllr Claire Young has helped Westerleigh and Dodington Parish Councils to arrange drop-in events as part of the consultation:

Thursday, 24 August 2017

Southern Brooks Community Partnerships are currently recruiting community volunteers who live and/or work in Yate to learn: more about health and wellbeing; where to gain support to improve health; and hold the skills to have a 'health chat' with friends, relatives and neighbours as well as other residents of Yate to make steps to health improvement. It's a great opportunity to gain knowledge and take action without a regular commitment. The role comes with a free level 2 qualification in health.

For more information please contact the Contact Health Champion Co-ordinator on 01454 868570 or email healthchampions@southernbrooks.org.uk. Please contact them to confirm your place at one of the sessions.

Tuesday, 22 August 2017

South Glos Council has launched its prospectus of new courses for 2017-2018. There will be information and enrolment sessions at Yate Library:
Tuesday 5 September - 10.00am to 12noon
Thursday 7 September - 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Thursday, 17 August 2017

A consultation has started on changes to the Gibbs Lane, Codrington weight limit.

The aim is to implement an enforceable 7.5 Tonne weight restriction, to prevent Gibbs Lane being
used as a through route by HGVs. As with all environmental weight limits, HGVs will still be
permitted to load/unload at premises along Gibbs Lane. The proposed scheme is to amend the
existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the weight limit on Gibbs Lane and to install new
signs.

Whatever your views about this scheme, it's yet another example of inadequate consultation by South Glos:

Virtually no publicity for a significant consultation

Only 3 weeks to comment

Over the summer holidays, so many people will only have a week to respond

Only accepting comments online - what about people who don't have internet?

What's the point of consultations if you don't do them properly?

Let's Get Yate
Moving

What's more, Yate has now got to a size where it needs a decent size "two-way" Park and Ride site, with all-day parking for people travelling to Bristol and the North Fringe, plus parking for people working or spending long times in the Shopping Centre and the public buildings nearby.

The Liberal Democrat Focus Team has been running a 'Let's Get Yate Moving' campaign since 2014 to ensure that the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area gets the transport infrastructure it desperately needs. If you support us, please do sign our petition at www.southgloslibdems.org.uk/letsgetyatemoving and pass it on to friends and family members who you think will support us too.

Abson
Road, a popular cut-through between Pucklechurch and Wick, will be closed to all traffic from 21 August to
1 September for essential resurfacing work (patch repairs to defective
areas). Diversions will be in place (see map image), access to
properties and amenities fronting the site and whose only access is from
the closed road will be available at all times although delays may
occur. The work will start at approximately 7.30am and remain in place
until approximately 4.30pm. These works will create a significant amount
of noise and South Glos Council apologises in advance for any disruption caused.

Monday, 14 August 2017

Last year, the West of England consulted on a Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) proposing:

1,500 new homes at Coalpit Heath

2,600 around Yate and Chipping Sodbury

1,000 homes at Charfield

600 homes at Thornbury

2,200 homes at a new garden village at Buckover near Thornbury

The next round of consultation will take place in the autumn and judging
from where they're holding the drop-in events, they are pressing ahead
with these locations. The full list of drop-in events is:

Most controversially, they are proposing to limit fertility treatment to women between 30 and 35 years of age.
They already only fund one treatment, rather than the NICE
recommendation of up to 3. This would mean that access to fertility
treatment was even more limited. Your have until 15th September to have
your say on this - some of the other consultations finish as early as
next week.

During the recent election, the Liberal Democrats proposed putting an
extra 1p in the pound on income tax to increase NHS funding. Across the
country, we are seeing the consequences of under funding.

Friday, 28 July 2017

Once again libraries in South Gloucestershire are inviting all 4 to 11-years-old to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Animal Agents, based on a detective agency staffed by a variety of clever animals – furry, scaly and slippery – who are out to crack a case at the library with a little help from their friends. The challenge, which involves reading six books, runs until 16th September.

South Glos are currently looking for foster carers for every background to care for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life. You can find out more at a Fostering Information Evening in Yate on Thursday 3 August. It runs from 7pm to 9pm at the Badminton Road Council Offices.

Thursday, 27 July 2017

Your Focus Team was shocked to learn that Sirona, who run the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) in Yate, are being allowed to shut the doors to new patients when they're busy so they can meet their waiting time targets.

Of course there is no guarantee if you're redirected to A&E that you'll be seen any more quickly there than if you'd been allowed to wait at the MIU. Neither Southmead or the Children's Hospital are easy to get to from Yate, especially when injured. This seems to be about meeting targets, not meeting the needs of patients.

Claire Young is asking for your experiences of being turned away by the Yate MIU during the advertised opening hours. Please fill in our short survey - the more evidence we have, the better we can speak up for you. We have already heard from a number of disgruntled users, including someone who travelled from Thornbury with two young children, only to be told they would have to go to Bristol Children's Hospital, and another who found the unit closed 2 hours early.

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

At 10am this Saturday, 29th July, the WWF are holding a Climate Change
Coffee morning in the Ridgewood Cafe, Yate. This will be a chance to
find out more about the Climate Coalitiion, how climate change is
affecting the local community and what action you can take. You can find
out more at https://www.facebook.com/events/408149509578801/

South Gloucestershire Council have published proposals for a new junction 18a on the M4.
They are in the early stages of a feasibility study and you will have a
chance to have your say in a formal consultation running for eight weeks starting the week commencing 21 August. You can pre-register your interest in the consultation here.

Last week Claire Young and other Focus Team members attended an open-air meeting at Pucklechurch
about the junction. There is strong opposition there to the Eastern
proposal, which would involve building a link road near the village. You
can read what the Pucklechurch Parish Council has to say here.

There were mixed views expressed on the western proposal, close to the
science park. Westerleigh village residents who attended were worried
that EITHER option would lead to a big increase in traffic through their
village.

Unless there are proper connecting routes there will also be major effects on areas in South Yate and Dodington. We do not think any option should go ahead
without action to prevent serious knock-on impacts on the surrounding
roads and communities.

Friday, 21 July 2017

On Sunday 30 July National Grid will be transporting a very large piece of new equipment to Iron Acton substation. The lorry carrying it will be 57 metres long by 5 metres wide and weigh 231 tonnes.
Due to the size and weight, the lorry will travel between 10 and 15
miles per hour.

The vehicle will start from Avonmouth Port in Bristol on 30 July at 9.00, arriving at Iron Acton substation in the late afternoon. It needs to avoid hazards such as weak bridges and narrow turning points, so the route is quite indirect:

Thursday, 20 July 2017

We’ve already reported on the works to the Bromley Heath viaduct on the Ring Road, which will have major travel implications across our area.

Although the Government was not prepared to stump up any more cash, the West of England Joint Committee did recently agree funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership Economic Development Fund (EDF) to reduce the work from 52 weeks to 33 weeks. So the extra cash is being taken from other regional projects, it's not "new money".

Traffic management will be put in this weekend, Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 July, and the actual maintenance work will start on Monday 24 July.

One key issue is the best routes to avoid some of the jams. For example, to get to the M32 the Winterbourne route from Yate will be better than going via Coalpit Heath. The same web page shows the changes at Winterbourne traffic lights.

Monday, 17 July 2017

South Glos Council is temporarily introducing a 40mph speed limit on the
A46 for 450m north of the junction 18 roundabout from 24 July for the
duration of the Bromley Heath viaduct works. They have already installed
traffic lights to control the B4465 junction during that period.

Friday, 14 July 2017

There's good news and bad news about the long-awaited cycle track between Yate and the Railway Path, the cycling "superhighway" between Bristol and Bath. At the moment the Yate Spur only comes out as far as the T junction on Westerleigh Road south of Westerleigh.

Westerleigh Rd mini-roundabout to Yate Common - on hold until January 2018 because of railway embankment work near Chedworth

Once the section alongside Westerleigh Road to Cornerways is done, there will be a continuous link from the Railway Path to opposite Wot Not at the north end of Westerleigh. We are pressing for any outstanding maintenance to be carried out between Broad Lane and Wot Not - it tends to get overgrown from time to time.

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Come and join in this Sunday 16th July in Brinsham Fields from 1.00pm
till 4.00pm. Bring your dogs along for a 'Fun Dog Show', 'Tempation
Alley' and a Tug of War, free treasure hunt for all the children and
other activities. See you there?

Monday, 10 July 2017

Yate, Thornbury and Winterbourne Libraries will be closing for 2 weeks each to install the equipment for users to access them during unstaffed hoursunder the new seven-day-a-week opening arrangements, due to start in October. Borrowers will be able to gain access ith an upgraded library card.

If your local library is closed for a few days, you will be able to access another library relatively close by. You can still make reservations and renew books online and you won’t get a fine if your book is due back while the library is closed.

The project has been designed so that neighbouring libraries will not be closed at the same time.

Friday, 7 July 2017

Yate Town Council has launched a new Youth Bus sothat youth workers can get out and about and keep in contact with local youngsters aroud the town. The bus is called the Urbie - the Urban Vehicle for Information
and Education - and it replaces an older, smaller vehicle that the Town Council used successfully for many years.

Yate Town Council are very grateful for the support of local
organisations and businesses including Merlin Housing Society, the Avon
and Somerset Police Community Trust, Renishaw, One
Stop Carriers for Causes, Sodbury and Yate Business Association and Yate
and District Rotary Club.

Thursday, 6 July 2017

As local people will know, the historic Railway Inn was recently demolished despite local objections. The pub sign now peeks rather sadly above the site hoardings.

The developers then submitted an application for outline planning permission, but South Gloucestershire Council has refused to accept this and asked for full layout details before takinga decision on the application. They have been given until July 6th to provide the extra information, or the planning officer will recommend that the application is turned down.

Yate Town Council has raised concerns about the parking arrangements, and has urged that the new building should be made to match the historic style of nearby premises.

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Dodington Parish Council are inviting local residents to a Community Picnic at Woodchester Play Area to help them plan improvements. At the moment the Parish Council only runs the infants play area, but they are negotiating to take over the larger play equipment and the open space from South Gloucestershire Council.

"We would like local people's ideas on how to make the play area better" said Cllr Paul Hulbert "So we're running a 'Picnic, Play and Plan' session for residents - and their children! - to come along and meet us"

"We would like to hear from people of all ages. We're particularly interested in what of the existing play equipment people think works well, and what doesn't. Maybe people have seen equipment somewhere else that would be good at Woodchester"

"We're also keen to get community views on priorities for where money needs to be spent. For example, should we prioritise modernising the oldest equipment, or perhaps putting a fence round the whole play area to keep dogs out? Or do the teenager facilities like the basketball net and the goal need improving?"

"Light refreshments will be provided – please bring your own picnic. We’ll even have a barbecue going so that you can cook your own food. Councillors will also be happy to discuss any other local issues people have on their minds"

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Back in April we reported about the works to the Bromley Heath viaduct on the Ring Road. We are pleased to tell you that the West of England Joint Committee has agreed extra cash so that the works will be speeded up, so that the project (and the traffic problems) will only last 33 weeks rather than 50 weeks or so.

However the work is likely to have massive travel implications, particularly in the
rush hour. Not only for people who use the A4174 but also for people who
travel through Westerleigh or use the Westerleigh Road through
Codrington or the A432 through Old Sodbury. People are going to be
using very different routes to try to give the chaos a wide berth, so
travel changes as far away as the A46 are being put in place, e.g. the temporary traffic lights at the A46 / B4465 junction.

Traffic management will be put in over the weekend of Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 July, and the actual maintenance work will start on Monday 24 July.

Bearing in mind that the traffic diversions and holdups will affect drivers from our area, South Glos Council has arranged two more residents engagement meetings covering the proposed traffic management measures and recommended traffic routes:

Abbotswood Action Group would love to see anyone who is interested at the workshops.

It's actually 30 years since the previous mural was done - local people of a certain age will remember the alien with a basketball. Does anyone have any photos of it? If so, please email paul.hulbert@gmail.com - if they're prints, we would be happy to scan them and let you have the prints back.

Thursday, 29 June 2017

Public consultation has opened on a new joint strategy to guide the work of the South Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) over the next four years to improve the health of everyone living and working in South Gloucestershire.

The JHWS sets out four key priorities where the Board feel their work can improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in South Gloucestershire. These are:

Improve educational attainment and raise aspirations through promotion of health and wellbeing in schools and colleges

Promote and enable positive mental health and wellbeing at every stage of life

Promote and enable good nutrition, physical activity and a healthy weight throughout life

Maximise the potential of our built and natural environment to enable healthy lifestyles and prevent disease

The JHWS is keen to receive your thoughts and opinions on the draft strategy. This consultation is open until midnight on 21st August 2017.

Lots more information, including the draft strategy and the consultation questionnaire, can be found on the consultation website here

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

Since the Area Forums were scrapped, the council needed a new way to
handle the local road safety schemes. If you have a road safety concern,
you can now ask the council to investigate it by submitting the Highways Investigation Request Form. You will need the support of at least one local ward member and parish councillor on behalf of the parish council.

Highways officers will assess your request to see if a viable scheme is
likely. If it is, it will be added to the Local Transport Investigation
List and once a year will be scored and prioritised along with all the
other schemes on the list. The 15 highest scoring will be investigated.

Once investigated, three things can happen:

If there is a simple, low cost solution, that will be programmed to be implemented immediately.

If a more involved scheme is needed, it will be entered on the Local Transport Priority List.

If no scheme is recommended, you will be told no further action will be taken.

Once a year all the schemes on the Local Transport Priority List will be
scored and prioritised and given an estimated cost. The top scoring
schemes will go on the council's Capital Programme for the following
financial year.

Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Chipping Sodbury Library was earmarked for closure last year due to South Glos plans to save money, but following a local campaign it will now stay open on the condition that it is run by members of the community.

Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library are now looking for around 40 people to work shifts at the facility on a regular basis.

The library will be handed over to the community on the last weekend of September, with volunteers taking over running it during the first week of October.

They will work in shifts of around four hours, with the library expected to be open for 14 to 16 hours each week.

SGC are helping with some of the costs involved, including building maintenance, but the everyday job of running the library will be down to members of the community.

Monday, 26 June 2017

Do you have neighbours you've never met? Have you ever thought it would be nice if someone organised a community get-together near where you live? Perhaps you (with help) could organise s neighbourly picnic!

Abbotswood Action Group is encouraging people from the lcal area to host a "bring and share" picnic with games and activities on your nearest green space or tarmac play area.

AAG will be happy to help with invites, encouragement and advice. They also have a small fund to help with purchases of play equipment if needed for your picnic (first come first served!)

All the picnics will be put on a map so people can wander around and enjoy different activities.

If you and a group of neighbours would like to join in, please contact Rob on 07890 569196, speak with a member of the AAG committee, or email community.aag@gmail.com

Quite a few picnics have already been registered. Dodington Parish is planning one at Woodchester Play Area, where you can give your views about improvements to the play area and meet your local councillors. Kelston Close residents and Solon South West Housing Association are running a picnic and fun afternoon at QE2 Kelston Close playing field, and lots more gatherings are already being planned.

Sunday, 25 June 2017

Work on the Westerleigh Road to Broad Lane (Westerleigh) section of the Yate Spur
cycle path has now been scheduled to start on 3 July 2017. It's expected
to last for four months.

This is the stretch that starts from the T junction south of Westerleigh, where they recently put in a crossing near the cottages. It will run up inside the farmer's field to what was previously Cornerways Day Nursery, the old school building.

Saturday, 24 June 2017

Have you got a bike resting idle in your shed, garage or propped under the stairs? Do you lack confidence about your ride skills, what to wear or how to train for fitness? If so, SportsPound's Couch to 40k bike course might be right for you!

Cycling is an ideal way to build your fitness as it’s weight bearing which makes it gentle on your joints. They're going to start off with advice on what to wear, how to use your gears properly and how best to train, ride assertively and stay safe. They will also supply you with suggestions on pleasant cycling routes in South Glos.

They then take you to a closed road site to practice your skills and get used to riding. There will also the option of a bike MOT so you can check how roadworthy it is. The next part of the course is ‘virtual’ which you do at your own pace and convenience over the following 9 weeks, using a smartphone app (ypu can also log in and update your progress manually). The organisers will suggest suitable meeting points for you to get together with others and ride together from hubs around South Gloucestershire.

Finally everyone comes back together on Sunday 3rd September for our 40k ride. Starting at Page Park Staple Hill you’ll follow a traffic free route that takes you 40km (25 miles) through South Glos to Bath and return.

Friday, 23 June 2017

The planning application to demolish the Tern Inn and build flats on the site and the adjacent car park has just been REFUSED. This very popular local pub and live music venue and the car park were recently classed as "Assets of Community Value" (ACVs). The pub was forced to close on 11 June because the owner refused to renew the lease, and the property has since been boarded up.

The key reasons for refusal were:

Taking away the pub and the car park would have a very negative impact on the Heron Way Local Centre

The proposal would remove the pub, listed as an ACV, without an alternative within 800 metres, which is against South Glos planning policy

It would also mean the loss of the Local Centre Car Park, also an ACV, without any alternative

The scheme would not have enough parking and delivery space, and it would push vehicles out onto the main road. The overall effect has been classed as "severe" and "detrimental to the travelling public"

The landowner could appeal against the decision - this is the most likely. In that case the Government will appoint an independent inspector who would hold a hearing locally.

The owner might submit a different scheme, and the planning process would start all over again

The owner might concede defeat and consider negotiating with other interested parties

This is one small step towards getting the pub and the car park back, but nothing is guaranteed. Local people and Dodington Parish Council, who have supported the campaign all the way, will need to keep up the community pressure.

The popular Yate Rocks Festival will take place in Kingsgate Park again this weekend. The main music festival 12.00 - 8.00 pm on Saturday 24 June will have a wide range of music from local bands such as Toby, Tail Lights, Uncle Buck, Limited Edition, Elevation, Atlantic, Fire Blisters, and the Yate Rock Choir.

There will be dance shows, arts and crafts, refreshments and children’s games and activities.

On Sunday morning there will be a church service from 10.30am to 12 noon, followed by a picnic in the park at 1.30pm.

Thursday, 22 June 2017

Yate Road will be closed for up to 5 days from 26th June from the
junction with Armstrong Way to approximately 50m south of the road over
rail bridge. That's the road that runs from the big roundabout on the Iron Acton road, heading south to join up with Stover Road.

This is to allow urgent repair works to be carried out on
the bridge. The 7.5t Weight Restriction on the A432 Station Road between
its junctions with Longs Drive and Westerleigh Road will be temporarily
suspended.

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Last year South Glos launched the Member Awarded Funding (MAF) scheme that gives Councillors the opportunity to make awards to projects and services that benefit residents in their ward. From 1 April 2017 each councillor has an allocation of £3,000 to award to local projects and services before 31 March 2018.

South Glos is offering voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and Town or Parish Councils the opportunity to drop-in at one of their advice sessions to meet with a Grant Officer for help and support with the MAF process, such as:

How to register your organisation on the grants on-line system

How to create or revise policies

How to apply to your Councillor(s)

How to complete an application form

How to apply if your project crosses ward boundaries

The sessions are being held in Room 0013 at the Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, BS37 5AF:

Wednesday 21 June 09:00-13:30

Monday 24 July 09:00-13:30

Monday 14 August 12:30-15.30

For more information please contact the Grants Helpline, Mon-Fri, 9am to 4pm, on 01454 865865 or grants@southglos.gov.uk. The sessions are open and so please do just drop-in. However, if you would prefer to book a place, please contact the team to arrange.

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

A development company has announced plans to build upmarket retirement flats on land at Normandy Drive, Yate, that was previously promised as community space.

Churchill Retirement Living has announced the proposals, claiming the development would meet an “urgent need” for elderly housing.

But residents who bought their homes from previous landowner Taylor Wimpey say they were told that the land would be kept for community use.

The only community space on the densely-packed development is a small nature reserve area on land that was unsuitable for building anyway, and there is no provision for children to play safely. Elswick Park is also one of the most congested areas in Yate for parking.

Local councillors are opposed to the proposals.

“We have fought hard to stop this land being built over completely, it was meant to be used by the community. There has been no discussion with local councillors about these latest plans” said Cllr Ruth Davis.

South Glos Council will be undertaking essential works on the B4465 between 3 and 14 July. For quite a bit of the time the road will be closed at two locations:

Site ‘A’ is at Watts Barn, where works involve the installation of road gullies and a new drainage system.

Site ‘B’ is located in Codrington village itself. The works comprise of carriageway reconstruction / resurfacing. The limits of the surfacing are from the Wishing Well Public house westwards for 500m through the village.

Following the hearing sessions on the Policies Sites and Places Plan
(PSP Plan), a number of Main Modifications to the plan are now being
released for public consultation. You have until 24th July 2017 to have
your say using the official response form. You can only make comments on the Main Modifications, not on any other part of the PSP Plan.

The Schedule of Main Modifications, a response form, along with supporting information are available to view online here.

The Planning Inspector for the examination will consider comments
received on the Main Modifications, before publishing her Report on the
overall soundness and suitability for adoption of the PSP Plan.

Saturday, 17 June 2017

Major electrification work will be taking place in our area from 19 August to 15 September, night and day. Some of the work will be noisy, and deliveries to Network Rail compounds along the route (e.g. Shire Way access point) will be made by road, so nearby roads will experience an increase in traffic.

The work will be on the main line from Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, to Patchway/Filton junctions, via Old Sodbury, Chipping Sodbury and Yate to Westerleigh Junction.

In addition, from 2 September to 15 September 2017, the work area will extend to include
Westerleigh Junction towards Yate station, Coalpit Heath, Winterbourne,
Stoke Gifford and Bristol Parkway station, up to Patchway/Filton
junctions.

Network Rail say "We are electrifying the line to bring passengers quieter, more frequent
and more reliable services between London Paddington and Cardiff"

The work includes:

Carrying out the piling required to install the foundations which will support the electrification equipment. That's the really noisy part.

Installing the equipment, including trackside masts and overhead wires at some locations.

Installing electrification equipment in Chipping Sodbury tunnel.

Improving flood resilience at Chipping Sodbury sidings.

Preparing Bristol Parkway station for the arrival of new InterCity Express trains, including the construction of a fourth platform.

How can you find out more?

1. Network Rail are setting up a dedicated web page at www.networkrail.co.uk/westernupgrade which will be available from Monday 19 June. It contains more detailed information about the work they will be carrying out and will be updated regularly as the project progresses. It also has a useful introductory video.

2. Network Rail will also be running drop-in sessions, when members of the project team will be on hand to explain the work and answer your questions. The sessions nearest to us are:

3. If you have any questions about the work, you can email Network Rail at crwest@networkrail.co.uk or call the 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41. For updates, you can follow them on Twitter @networkrailwest

Friday, 16 June 2017

The Planning Officer has now compiled his very detailed report on the proposed flats development on the site of the Tern Inn and car park at Heron Way. In summary, the report recommends refusal because of:

The effect on the Heron Way shops

The loss of the Tern Inn, which is listed as an Asset of Community Value

The loss of the car park, which is also listed as an Asset of Community Value

The added on-street congestion and effect on visibility

As well as the petitions against the development, there were 309 objections to the scheme but only 3 people who wrote in to support it. There were strong objections from Dodington Parish Council, Yate Town Council, Cllr Claire Young and Luke Hall MP, plus of course the Birds Resident Group.

The report will now go to South Gloucestershire Council to decide whether to allow or refuse the planning application.

If the application is refused, the developer can appeal to a government inspector. Alternatively they might put in a different planning application for the same site.

Thursday, 15 June 2017

Temporary traffic lights will be installed shortly at Dodington Ash, where the road from Westerleigh and Codrington meets the A46. The lights are needed because this will be a major diversion route when work is taking place on the Bromley Heath viaduct on the Ring Road.

The installation work will take place between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm from now until 2 June. The temporary lights will then be in operation for the duration of the viaduct works, which will be aroind 52 weeks (or 33 weeks if South Glos find the money to work extra hours to speed up the viaduct works)

Friday, 26 May 2017

Claire Young recently joined thousands of people marching for fairer
funding for our schools - parents, children, teachers and fellow Lib
Dems - at the Fairer Funding for Schools rally.

The Liberal
Democrats would invest £6.9bn more in our schools and colleges over the
next parliament, to ensure no school and no child loses out. That would
mean £26m more in schools and colleges in South Gloucestershire,
including £1.3m to protect the Pupil Premium, introduced by the Liberal
Democrats to help the most disadvantaged children.

In contrast,
the Conservative government is proposing deep cuts in many school
budgets - schools with the most disadvantaged children are likely to
face the biggest funding cuts. According to figures from teachers'
unions NUT and ATL, local secondary schools face cuts equivalent to up
to a dozen teachers. Primary schools face cuts of 1, 2 or 3 teachers.

You can look up the impact on your local school here: http://www.schoolcuts.org.uk
- it's noticeable that although Claire has pledged to support the
campaign against the school cuts, at the time of writing neither the
Conservative nor the Labour candidates for this constituency have even
responded.

Claire has been continually pressing for clarity about
the situation at Winterbourne and Yate International Academies and
supporting parents campaigning for better funding for schools. Please
support our campaign by signing our petition at www.claireyoung.org.uk/schoolcuts

Thursday, 25 May 2017

South Gloucestershire’s libraries have a range of fun activities planned to help keep children entertained over the half term holidays including story times, rhymetimes and crafts. All activities are free drop-ins for primary school aged children unless otherwise stated.

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Developer Cotswold Homes is asking for local people's views on a proposed housing development at Trinity Lane, off St John's Way, Chipping Sodbury (Trinity Lane is the road that goes up to the golf course)

They describe their scheme like this: "A total of 60 dwellings is proposed in a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced housing; a small number of flats and bungalows are also proposed to address local housing needs for smaller affordable, and accessible lifetime home properties"

The sorts of questions they are asking are:

Do you consider that open market and affordable housing are required in this location?

What types of affordable housing are most needed in the area (i.e. rented or shared ownership, family housing or flats)?

Are there any infrastructure constraints in Chipping Sodbury or wider area that the proposals should be looking to help address?

What recreational facilities do you think would be most appropriately incorporated into the area of public open space that the development will provide (for example play area, trim trail, ecological areas, pond etc.)?

Having reviewed the draft plans for the site do you have any comments on the emerging layout?

Do you have any suggestions with regards to the appearance of the housing put forward?

Would you suggest a contemporary or traditional design approach in respect to the appearance of the new dwellings?

Would you suggest any changes to improve the proposals?

It's a good idea for developers to carry out early consultations with the public like this, but note that this is not an official consultation - they intend to apply for planning
permission during the summer. If you answer their questionnaire, please
bear in mind that they are assembling evidence to make their planning
application more likely to be successful.

Friday, 19 May 2017

GWR have told us that work to widen the platforms at Bath Spa has now been successfully completed and Network Rail have moved on to work on the track around Swindon and Chippenham. This will affect rail services through Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Chippenham and Bristol Parkway over the late May bank holiday (27-29 May) and the weekend of 10 and 11 June. Full details of the revised arrangements are on their dedicated web page www.gwr.com/Swindon2017

There will then be further work at Chippenham from Saturday 8 July through to Sunday 16 July. Services between London and Bristol Temple Meads will be diverted and there will be a reduced service for Swindon and Bath Spa during this period. More details are on www.gwr.com/Chippenham2017 where they also set out arrangements for weekend replacement services to Westbury and Melksham.

There will be additional staff at stations to help customers and they are using both traditional and social media, as well as information at stations and at ticket sales points, to highlight the changes.

GWR say: "We want the electrification upgrade to be as painless as possible, of course we recognise that any timetables changes, however temporary, cause some inconvenience, but these works will allow us to put brand new ten car trains on this route in 2017, and the work has to be completed while we continue to run services"

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

There are going to be road works on another length of the B4465 Westerleigh Road from just west of Codrington to just east of Springs Farm.

The usual alarming notice says that the closure "will be operative from the 3 July 2017 for a maximum period of eighteen months. The closure however may not be implemented for the whole of the period but only when signs are in position and only for so long as is necessitated by the works which are anticipated to be of 1 WEEK duration."

So one week in the next eighteen months - once again, if the warning signs are up, the road is closed; if they're not, it's still open.

The official diversion is incredibly long - via Emersons green, Coalpit Heath, Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the A46 - but that's really for heavy vehicles. Local people will doubtless know the short way round!

Monday, 15 May 2017

Young people aged 17 or 18 are being urged to register to vote in time for the General Election on 8th June.

New figures just released by the Electoral Reform Society show that the proportion of school leavers on the electoral roll dropped by over a quarter between 2013 and 2016 – with most of these missing voters now eligible to vote in this election. Shockingly, in one parliamentary constituency 75% of young people are not on the voting register. This follows the change from registration by household, to each voter having to register individually.

"This election is about the type of country we want to live in, a chance to change Britain's future. Young people will be living with the results for many years to come. It's vital that they get a say in that future"

"Whatever your age, if you haven't already registered, you need to do so before 11:59pm on 22 May if you want to be able to vote in the General Election on 8 June. You can do it online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote - you may need to have your National Insurance number at hand to prove who you are"

Thursday, 11 May 2017

It's time to have your say - again - on the latest ideas for the Tern Inn and car park. The developers still want to build flats on the whole site, but now they are offering a community cafe as an alternative to the pub.

The cafe idea is sketchy, to say the least. It would not provide the community functions that the Tern Inn currently hosts. No evidence is provided that such a cafe would be viable, and there is no analysis of how the various activities currently hosted by the pub could realistically be run in a cafe setting.

We suspect that the cafe proposal is set up to fail, and if it is allowed we speculate that there would be a later proposal to turn the cafe back into residential dwellings.

We still think that the entire proposal should be rejected, and that the site should be maintained as it is currently used - the pub and the associated car park.

Over to you now - what do YOU think? Please submit your comments, even if you've already commented on the origina; plans. You can do this online here - search for Heron Way. Click on the top result - the one that says 28 flats - then click on the "Make a Comment" button. You can read what other people have said by clicking on the Documents tab.

Tuesday, 9 May 2017

The police are asking all Neighbourhood Watches (and observant locals)
to help them. They are asking that you give them information on anyone
currently working in your neighbourhood, especially anyone doing
driveways, roof repairs and garden work.

Whilst the vast majority of
workmen are legitimate they are targeting those whose intention is to
provide a poor service at an inflated cost, and who are looking for the
potential to steal cash and valuables. Please give them any details you
can provide of those working in your area, especially descriptions and
registration numbers of vehicles and the people driving them.

Wednesday, 3 May 2017

During the bank holiday weekend local vets dealt with a number of dogs with symptoms of poisoning. Three of those dogs had been at Wapley Common. In one case the vet suggested that the dog had eaten something natural like very mouldy food, mouldy poop etc. We have established that at least two of the dogs had eaten poop in the same location, the picnic field. So we now suspect that this was from an infected animal. The area has been checked and nothing else has been found, and no weedkiller etc is used in the area.

There have been some other cases in the wider area recently. In one place - not Wapley - some chicken carcasses had been thrown out on public land. Elsewhere at least one dog tried to eat something that looked like dog food, and was immediately violently sick. Add to this the number of common plants that are poisonous to dogs, all we can suggest is that owners keep a very close eye on what their dogs might try to eat while they are out and about.

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Since starting work at the end of March, contractors have been making good progress with the removal of the central reservation barrier at the Eastville Viaduct on the M32. Over the last two weeks they have been removing the worn-out barrier.

They are now working to remove covers and install steel plates to 49 manholes and inspection chambers to provide a flat surface on which the new concrete central barrier can be placed.

They now moving into a new phase of work, with the overnight traffic management changing from the beginning of May. Instead of being closed between Junctions 2 (Fishponds) and 3 (Bristol City Centre), the M32 will be closed southbound from Junction 1 (Hambrook) and Junction 3 (Bristol City Centre). A fully signed diversion taking traffic via the A4174, A38 Gloucester Road and the A4044 Bond Street will be in place instead.

The closures mostly affect the southbound carriageway, but there may be times where they need to close the northbound carriageway too.

To keep updated with the closures of the M32, please visit www.trafficengland.com. You can also follow @HighwaySWEST on Twitter for updates.

If you have any concerns or issues regarding these works you can contact the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

A few nights ago there was an unsuccessful attempt to steal a caravan in Ram Hill, causing damage. The thieves then returned and tried again. Once again they were unsuccessful but caused even more damage in their attempt. A caravan was also stolen in Rangeworthy recently so it could be the same gang going around.

We suggest that neighbours be extra vigilant, noting details of any suspicious persons or vehicles - perhaps particularly those equipped with towbars, and report any suspicious activity to the police. If a crime is in progress then use the '999' system. It would also be wise to check your existing caravan and trailer security.

Thursday, 27 April 2017

The results of the consultation on the latest parts of the Yate Spur cycle route have been published by South Glos - full details here - scroll down and click on "Consultation Feedback Statement".

This consultation - including a very busy exhibition at Shire Way Community Centre - covered Westerleigh Road between the mini-roundabout and the Common and a refuge on the Nibley Lane arm of the Nibley Lane/Westerleigh Road junction.

In brief, the responses to the consultation were very positive. A total of 67 responses were received:

49 responses were in support of the scheme (73%)

3 responses objected to the scheme (4%)

15 responses stated no preference either for or against the scheme (22%)

The South Glos report responds to all of the points made, and many of the points have been taken into account in the final design.

Local cyclists still have worries about the plans for the Nibley Lane junction, where South Glos say "Funding limitations mean we are unable to carry out a radical remodelling of the junction.... The provision of a mini roundabout has been considered but there is insufficient space available to provide one that provides sufficient visibility without taking additional land which would increase time and costs significantly". In answer to the concerns, South Glos say "the proposals will be subject to the Road Safety Audit process which should identify any safety issues with the proposals"

The likely timing of the path works is now:

Westerleigh Road (Shire Way to Rodford Way) section starting July

Nibley Lane junction late 2017 / early 2018

That will leave two gaps:

Under the Rodford Elm railway arch to join the existing Westerleigh Road path to the new section - this needs engineering design that has to be agreed with Network Rail, who have already agreed in principle. Design discussions are in progress.

The "Westerleigh bypass" from Nibley Lane to Dodmoor Crossing. The design is being done this year, and again network rail have agreed in principle. Some land ownership needs to be clarified in case the route is not all on Network Rail land.

The gradual progress is welcome, but with some reservations about Nibley Lane junction. When the whole scheme is complete - hopefully by April 2019 - there will be a safe cycle (and pedestrian) route from Yate to the Bristol - Bath Railway Path and the Ring Road Path.

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LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

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